"Kristen was basically using the account as her own personal ATM," Miller said. "I'm basically in shock. I still am."

Miller said she couldn't access, nor did she track, any of the firm's bank accounts. But under Bar rules, only attorneys can sign on trust accounts. Collins should never have had access.

• • •

Collins herself has gotten in trouble with the Bar for the unlicensed practice of law. She received probation in 2005 for forging the signatures of a judge and an attorney.

But when Miller was in trouble, this was the legal assistant she trusted to get her out of it.

Miller said Collins told her the $28,000 was held up by a bank error, and that the paralegal hired her a lawyer to show up in court when the judge summoned her in December, so Miller wouldn't have to go.

"The first thing I did was I called Kristen," Miller said, "and she said don't worry."

But no lawyer showed up for Miller that day.

• • •

Collins denied taking any money. She said Miller controlled the accounts.

Collins said she didn't own the firm but tried to help Miller buy it from another lawyer.

As for that December hearing, Collins said she tried to get Miller a lawyer — but couldn't get anyone to take the case.

The judge found two things: First, that Miller left early for vacation on Dec. 19, a day before the contempt hearing. And second, that she had already been jailed for contempt in August. How could she not know to show up for a similar hearing in December?

"You never took a single step to rectify the situation, which is perhaps indicative of why you never came to court," Crane said.

The judge found Miller guilty and had her taken into custody. She faces up to six months in jail. She will be sentenced July 8.